Remembering Dimebag Darrell in photos

Ten years ago, iconic Pantera guitarist Darrell “Dimebag” Abbott was tragically gunned down in Columbus, Ohio, while performing with his brother Vinnie Paul, and their new band, Damageplan.

Dimebag was famous for so many reasons. As a guitarist, his style was as wildly infuential as it was iconic. He helped pioneer what we now know as groove metal and regularly blended his influences, which ranged from Ace Frehley and Joe Satriani to more contemporary metalheads like Randy Rhoads and Kerry King.

But more than that, and even in spite of the rift that tore Pantera apart, Dimebag Darrell is remembered for being a good dude. He had a legendary rapport with fans and his love for his brother, drummer Vinnie Paul, seemed to know no end. As the story goes, he turned down a chance to be in Megadeth when Dave Mustaine couldn’t accommodate his brother on drums. Imagine how different things would have been had that happened?

Above, we’ve collected a series of images that run through Abbott’s life, from a child to a spandex wearing hair-metaller right up to the red-bearded shredder Pantera fans knew and loved.